OCDE Newsroom

Sam Darnold posing with his retired jersey alongside Head Coach Jaime Ortiz at the Triton Hall of Fame Golf Tournament at the Talega Golf Course in San Clemente.

San Clemente High School alumnus Sam Darnold has jersey retired and is inducted into school’s Hall of Fame

Nathaniel Martinez July 16, 2026

Recipients of the 2025 Outstanding STEM Educator Awards gather for a group photo following last year's awards celebration at the Orange County Department of Education Conference Center in Costa Mesa.

OCDE announces 2026 Outstanding STEM Educators

Vicky Nguyen July 15, 2026

Natalia Abarca, coordinator of OCDE’s Language Services unit, welcomes guests to the 2025 Interpreters and Translators Conference.

Language access professionals to celebrate 10 years of growth at OCDE conference

Vicky Nguyen July 14, 2026

Students in the inaugural Certified Nursing Assistant cohort celebrate completing the tuition-free program offered through a partnership between Orange Unified School District and Santiago Canyon College. Participants completed coursework and hands-on clinical training while still enrolled in high school.

Weekly roundup: Orange Unified, Santiago Canyon College celebrates first certified nursing assistant cohort, and more

Vicky Nguyen July 10, 2026

Dr. Stefan Bean raises his right hand while his four children administer the oath of office during an Orange County Board of Education meeting.

Orange County superintendent, board members sworn in at organizational meeting

Ian Hanigan July 9, 2026

The Edison High School Chargers celebrate their win at the CIF Division 1-A state championship game on Dec. 14. (Huntington Beach Union High School District)

Weekly roundup: Edison High football named first-time state champs, Anaheim students receive new bikes and toys, and more

Madeline Gray December 20, 2024

Just before heading into winter recess, the Edison High School football team made history by claiming the program’s first-ever state...

WATCH: OC Superintendent reflects on family and community in holiday message

Nathaniel Martinez December 18, 2024

In a special holiday video message, Dr. Stefan Bean, superintendent of schools for Orange County, reflected on the importance of...

Five things to know about OCDE’s Business Services division and payroll operations

Vicky Nguyen December 17, 2024

The Orange County Department of Education plays a vital role in supporting payroll operations for school districts and community colleges across the county. Each month, OCDE processes payroll for approximately 75,000 employees and will generate about 100,000 W-2 forms this...

Annual book drive honors Anaheim principal’s daughter and supports literacy

Vicky Nguyen December 17, 2024

Ponderosa Elementary in the Anaheim Elementary School District recently hosted the 12th annual book distribution — an event held in...

OCDE's Alex Yang presents at the Cambodian American Model Curriculum Conference

Weekly roundup: LA Times spotlights OCDE’s model curriculum projects, Brea Olinda senior launches nonprofit to expand STEM access, and more

Vicky Nguyen December 13, 2024

The Orange County Department of Education was recently featured in a Los Angeles Times article for leading the creation of...

A Pacifica High School and a kindergarten student

Christmas comes early for nearly 400 Garden Grove kindergartners at Pacifica High’s Adopt-A-Child event

Ian Hanigan December 12, 2024

It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas for nearly 400 kindergartners in the Garden Grove Unified School District, thanks to Pacifica High School’s annual Adopt-A-Child celebration. For more than three decades, the high school has organized and hosted...

Alumni return to University High’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program to share career journeys

Nathaniel Martinez December 12, 2024

For some students, including those with disabilities, a bright future can often feel difficult to imagine. That’s why the Connections...

Dr. Bean: 5-3-1 Strategic Plan adds up to OCDE’s path forward

Stefan Bean December 11, 2024

The holiday season is a natural time for reflection. For organizations like ours, it’s a chance to assess progress, refine...

Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean meets with students and staff from Los Alamitos Unified School District at the OC Pathways K-16 Collaborative Engagement Exhibition on Dec. 2. (Los Alamitos Unified School District)

Weekly roundup: OCDE hosts 140 community members at K-16 career education exhibition, Fullerton College launches drone technology program, and more

Madeline Gray December 6, 2024

More than 140 community members, educators and students gathered on Tuesday, Dec. 2 for the K-16 Collaborative Engagement Exhibition. Hosted by OC Pathways, the event highlighted innovative strategies to strengthen work-based learning opportunities for Orange County scholars. County Superintendent of...

Language services receiving golden bell.

Orange County education programs shine with 12 Golden Bell Awards

Nathaniel Martinez December 6, 2024

The California School Boards Association has awarded the Orange County Department of Education and 11 local school districts with Golden...